ADHD

Question 1

What is the history of ADHD assessing?

Answer 1

1. Minimal brain damage (20th century thoughts) - encephalitis
2. 80s changed to ADD from research in the 70s
3. After more research they realized it was a combination ADHD - Inattention/Hyper/Combined

Question 2

What is the problem of activity in ADHD kids?

Answer 2

1. It is not the type of activity that is the problem, it is the intensity of it
2. show the reverse of the situation calls for (out of sync with environment)

Question 3

What are the categories of ADHD?

Answer 3

A) Pervasive

B) Situational

Question 4

What are some situational variables that come into play with ADHD children?

Answer 4

i. The more structure there is, the worse they do
ii. Perform better with Fathers because they are more authoritative
iii. Trouble with tasks that require sustained attention
iv. Novelty kids do worse – doesn’t allow them to focus

Question 5

What is ADHD like in early childhood?

Answer 5

1. sometimes in infancy -Difficult temperament, Trouble sleeping, crying when changing
   Problems toilet training
   50% identified by 3 years and most by 12 y.o.

Question 6

What problems do ADHD children have in school?

Answer 6

1. problems with peer relations

2. listening to rules

Question 7

What is ADHD like in middle childhood?

Answer 7

A) school achievement becomes a bigger problem
B) Usually around 4th grade because things ratchet up
C) Learning disabilities
D) Don’t take responsibility

Question 8

What is ADHD like in adolescence?

Answer 8

A) 50-80% of kids continue to have problems
B) Peer relationships continues to be a problem
C) Problems with authority

Question 9

What are the influences of ADHD?

Answer 9

i. Genetic
ii. Neurological/Neurophysiological
iii. Family
iv. Environment

Question 10

What are the genetic influences of ADHD?

Answer 10

A) Identical Twin studies so the concordance much more than frat twins
B) Siblings more than, relatives
C) Relatives more than strangers

Question 11

What are the Neurological/Neurophysiological influences of ADHD?

Answer 11

A) Brain imaging doesn’t show any gross difference between ADHD kids and regular kids

c) Basically they are under-aroused in the neurological area
d) Smaller right prefrontal cortex
e) Smaller left caudate nucleus
f) Decreased blood flow to cerebellum

Question 12

What are the family influences of ADHD?

Answer 12

1. More common in families with high levels of discord

2. Parenting Practices

Question 13

What are the environmental influences of ADHD?

Answer 13

Elevated levels of lead have been found in 25-30% of ADHD kids, but the data is uncertain

Question 14

How do neurotransmitters affect ADHD?

Answer 14

1. dopamine:
2. Most related to the reward centers of the brain that respond to attentional responses and positive reward
3. Attention deficit
4. norepinephrine:
5. regulates behavioral inhibition
6. Hyperactivity

Question 15

What are parenting practices that exacerbate ADHD effects?

Answer 15

a) Permissiveness
b) Lack of attention to child/Neglect
c) Child temperament and parenting interactions

Question 16

What did the Hyperactive/Defiant study find?

Answer 16

A) suggests that hyperactivity can lead to defiance

B) But defiance does not lead to hyperactive

Question 17

What are the long term outcomes of ADHD?

Answer 17

i. Developmental Delay
ii. Developmental Decay
iii. Continuous Display